Multiple closteridial antigen vaccine for animals

ABSTRACT

AN INJECTABLE VACCINE PREPARATION COMPRISING AQUEOUS ANTIGENIC MATERIAL DERIVED FROM AT LEAST TWO PATHOGENIC COSTRIDIUM SPECIES, A MINERAL OIL, LIPOPHILIC EMULSIFIER AND A HYDROPHILIC EMULSIFIER, THE PREPARATION BEING A STABLE, PARENTERALLY ACCEPTABLE EMULSION OF AN AQUEOUS ANTIGENIC PHASE DISPERSED IN A CONTINUOUS OIL PHASE, WHEREIN THE AQUEOUS PHASE COMPRISES FROM 10 TO 35% OF THE VOLUME OF THE PREPARATION.

United States Patent 3,579,633 lVIULTIPLE CLOSTRIDIAL ANTIGEN VACCINE FOR ANIMALS Robert Orrock Thomson, London, England, assignor to Burroughs Wellcome & Co (U.S.A.) Inc., Tuckahoe,

No Drawing. Continuation of application Ser. No. 536,606, Mar. 23, 1966. This application Jan. 14, 1969, Ser. No. 791,186 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Mar. 25, 1965, 12,726/ 65 Int. Cl. A611: 23/00; C12k 5/00 US. Cl. 424-92 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An injectable vaccine preparation comprising aqueous antigenic material derived from at least two pathogenic costridium species, a mineral oil, lipophilic emulsifier and a hydrophilic emulsifier, the preparation being a stable, parenterally acceptable emulsion of an aqueous antigenic phase dispersed in a continuous oil phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises from to 35% of the volume of the preparation.

This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Ser. No. 536,606 filed Mar. 23, 1966, now abandoned.

This invention relates to biologically active material and especially to vaccines and their preparation.

Many animals are susceptible to diseases arising out of infections of pathogenic members of the genus Clostridium. Adult sheep and lambs are particularly susceptible to many of these diseases and in particular to those caused by strains of the species Clostridium perfringens. These organisms proliferate in the gut and produce toxins which give rise to the symptoms and pathological changes symptomatic of the disease, and may lead to death of the animal. Thus the [iand e-toxins of Cl. perfringens Type B give rise to lamb dysentery, and the e-tOXiH of Cl. perfringens Type D gives rise to pulpy kidney disease in lambs. Similarly enterotoxaemia, or struck as it is often called in adult sheep, is caused by the 3-toxin of Cl. perfringens Type C.

In addition to being susceptible to the diseases described above sheep and other animals, for example cattle, are also susceptible to other clostridial diseases. Thus, sheep and cattle are susceptible to infection by Cl. septz'cum which gives rise to the disease Braxy in sheep and sometimes Blackleg in cattle, and is also in part responsible to symptoms similar to those of gas gangrene. Another common clostridial infection is Black disease which occurs in sheep and occasionally in cattle and is caused by Cl. oedematiens Type B. The same organism can also infect body wounds leading to a gas gangrene infection. The wellknown disease, tetanus, in sheep and cattle is also caused by a clostridial organism, .Cl. tetani; and a further disease of widespread occurrence in cattle and of less frequency in sheep is Blackleg caused by Cl. chauvoei.

One method of protecting against these diseases is to vaccinate the animals with a toxoid derived from the causative organisms, and in the case of Cl. chauvoei to vaccinate with an anaculture of the organism. Subcutaneous injection with a toxoid or anaculture as appropriate produces the desired antibody response protecting the animal against the disease. The response evoked following injection of a simple toxoid or anaculture can be substantially increased by including adjuvants in the vaccine which, by a mechanism not fully understood, produce a greater antibody response and hence a greater degree of protection. Adjuvants which have found wide acceptance 3,579,633 Patented May 18, 1971 are aluminium adsorbents, and these owe at least some of their effectiveness to their ability to adsorb and retain the antigen at the site of injection.

Common use of aluminium adjuvants has materially reduced the number of injections necessary to protect against clostridial diseases by enhancing the antibody response to such a degree that vaccines may be combined together into a single vaccine. The preparation of such multicomponent vaccines was not feasible until the immunogenic value of each constituent could be increased sufiiciently to permit its dilution by the other components. When it is necessary to vaccinate large numbers of animals there is a considerable decrease in expense and labour by administering a multicomponent vaccine in place of separate injections of the individual constituent vaccines. This is particularly so when large numbers of animals spread over large areas have to be sought or rounded up for vaccination.

Nevertheless the use of aluminum adjuvenated clostridial vaccines have their drawbacks. Subcutaneous injection of the vaccines frequently lead to local reaction at the site of injection, and the high immune response does not absolve the farmer of providing further booster doses of the vaccine. Thus after sheep have been vaccinated against these diseases, a further injection of the same adjuvenated vaccine is required about 4 to 6 weeks later and subsequently at intervals of about 6 months to maintain the required level of immunity. Vaccination prior to lambing is needed so that the pregnant ewe can passively transfer to the lambs via the colostrum the material antibodies to protect the lambs against pulpy kidney, tetanus and lamb dysentery in the days following birth.

In attempts to obtain an even higher degree and a longer duration of immunity, other means of enhancing the antigenicity of vaccines of water-in-oil emulsions for promoting antibody response have been extensively investigated in recent years. In a classical Freund-type waterinoil emulsion the antigen is present in an aqueous phase dispersed in a continuous oil phase containing a lipophilic or oil soluble emulsifier to promote emulsification. Using such an emulsifying system it has been possible to obtain a high degree of immunity. However, this type of emulsion has not found acceptance because of a variety of reasons including the instability of the emulsion and extensive local reaction often produced upon subcutaneous injection into the animal.

According to present invention there is provided an injectable vaccine preparation comprising aqueous antigenic material derived from at least two pathogenic clostridium species, a mineral oil, a lipophilic emulsifier and a hydrophilic emulsifier, the preparation being a parenterally acceptable stable emulsion of an aqueous antigenic phase dispersed in a continuous oil phase, Wherein the aqueous phase comprises from 10 to 35% by volume of the preparation.

Vaccines of the present invention have been found to provide a considerably higher antibody response obtained from a comparable vaccine containing only a lipophilic emulsifier. The immunity obtained from a vaccine of the present invention also extends for a longer period than the immunity provided by hitherto known comparable Waterin-oil emulsion vaccines, so that the need for further doses to maintain an adequate level of immunity is substantially diminished. For example, a sheep immunised with a vaccine of the present invention does not require a further injection until 6 or 9 months later, and thereafter, one injection every one or two years is sufiicient to maintain an adequate antibody level. The antibody level in the colostrum is also substantially higher than the level obtained with aluminium vaccines. Vaccines of the present invention are also substantially more stable than comparable antigen. The aqueous phase does not exceed 35% and gle subcutaneous dose of 1 ml. of one vaccine. After 1 does not fall below of the total volume of the emulmonth the rabbits were bled and the sera pooled. The epsision. A greater proportion of water is undesirable belon antitoxin titre of the vaccine of Example 1 was cause of the increase in viscosity and instability of the international units/ml. and that of the Freund-type emulsion, and a proportion of less than 10% makes it 5 vaccine 4.8 international units/ml. difiicult to incorporate suflicient antigen without having The concentrated multicomponent vaccines described an unacceptably large dose volume. It has been found that in Examples 5 to 8 were compared with a Freund-type satisfactory vaccines are obtained when the aqueous vaccine containing the same concentration of the same phase comprises from to 35% by volume of the whole antigens and prepared by emulsifying 80 parts of an oil vaccine. It has been found that such emulsions contain- 10 phase (consisting of 15% v./v. Arlacel A and 5% v./v. ing polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate, may be sta- Falba in Bayol F) with 20 parts of a blend of concenbilised by the addition of Falba-a stabiliser containing trated toxoids of Clostridium perfringens Types B, C and beeswax, parafiin oils of various viscosities and oxycho- D, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium oedematiens Type lesterins extracted from lanolin. B, and Clostridium tetani, and a concentrated anaculture The amount of emulsifier needed in the respective 5 of Clostridz'um chauvoei. These vaccines were injected phases will depend on a variety of factors and p-articuinto rabbits and guinea pigs, each animal receiving tWO larly on the HLB values of the emulsifiers and the choice subcutaneous doses of 1 ml. with 28 days separating the of oil, and it it estimated that from 2.5 to 15 by volume second from the first injection. Antibody titres were obof the oil phase of a lipophilic emulsifier and from 1.0 tained by testing pooled samples of serum obtained from to 10% by volume of the aqueous phase of a hydrophilic 20 the animals 1214 days after the second injection. The emulsifier in the respective phases will provide vaccines antigenicity of the Clostridium chauvoei component was of the properties described herein. Considerable enhancemeasured by challenging groups of immunised guinea pigs ment of the antigenicity of Clostridial antigens has been with a virulent culture of Closlridium chauvoei 14 days obtained using from 5 to 12% by volume of the oil phase after the second injection. The results are shown in and from 3 to 7% by volume of the water phase, of th Table I from which it is seen that a much higher antirespective emulsifiers. body response or greater protection was obtained with The emulsion Stability f vaccines f the present vaccines of the present invention than with the Freundvention was tested by maintaining them at room temperayp Vacclneture (about 16), 37 and 50 Celsius. Vaccines main- The unconcentrated multicomponent vaccines described tained at room temperature showed no signs of deteriora- 30 in Examples 9 to 11 were also compared with a Freundtion or instability of the emulsion after storage for two type vaccine containing the same concentration of the years. Those maintained at 37 generally maintained a same antigens and prepared by emulsifying 70 parts oil stable emulsion for about 3 or 4 months but some broke phase (consisting of 10% v./v. Arlacel A in Bayol F) after 2 months storage. The emulsion of vaccines mainwith 30 parts of unconcentrated filtrates of toxoids of tained at 50 generally broke after 1 month storage. Clostridium perfringens Type D and Clostridium septicum,

Examples of the preparation of vaccines made accordunconcentrated anacultures of Clostridium perfringens ing to the present invention are described at the end of Types B and C, Clostridium oedematiens Type B and this specification. The antigenicity of these vaccines was Clostridium chauvoei, and concentrated tetanus toxoid.

compared with vaccines containing a Freund-type emul- The antigenicity of the above vaccine and those desion of the same antigens. scribed in Examples 9 to 11 were tested in the manner The Pulpy Kidney vaccine described in Example 1 described above for the multicomponent concentrated was compared with a Pulpy Kidney vaccine prepared by vaccines. The results given in Table II show that each emulsifying ml. oil phase (consisting of 10% v./v. of the vaccines made according to the present invention Arlacel A in Bayol F) with 30 ml. diluted Clostridium r stimulated a greater antibody titre or provided greater perfringens Type D toxoided filtrate so that the con- 40 protection than the Freund-type vaccine.

TABLE I.THE RESPONSE OF RABBITS AND GUINEAIfSISN'IIIDCg CONCENTRATED MULTICOMPONENT CLOSTRIDIAL Serum titres in International Units per ml.

Clostridium perfrirzgens Clostrz'rlz'ttm oedematz'ens Olostrz'dium Beta Epsilon Clostrtdium tetlmz- Type B alpha septz'cum antitoxin antitoxin antitoxin antitoxin antitoxin Total number of survivors out of 6 Guinea Guinea Guinea Guinea Guinea guinea pigs challenged Vaccine Rabbit pig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig with Cl. chauvog Freund-type. 21 03 30-45 20-30 20 45-70 10-20 100-200 2-5 2. 3 2 Example 5 210 45-70 45-70 70-100 150 50-100 200-500 42. 5 7. 5 5 Example 6-- 70-100 30 45-70 100-150 100 200-500 28. 5 4. 5 6 Example 7 127 100 100-150 15-20 70 100 100 100-200 38 2. E) 6 Example 8 48 142 45-70 20-30 70 100-150 10-20 200-500 14. 3 6. 9 6

TABLE II.THE RESPONSE OF RABBITS AND GUINEA x121C530'I1I IOETS1NCONCEN'IRATED MULTICOMPONENT CLOSTRIDIAL Serum titres in International Units per ml.

Clostridium perfringens Cloatridium oedemntiens Clostridzum Beta Epsilon Cloxtrtdium tetam' Type B alpha. septz'cum antitoxin antitoxin antitoxin antitoxin antitoxin Total number of survivors out of 6 Guinea Guinea Guinea Guinea Guinea guinea pigs challenged Vaccine Rabbit pig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig with Cl. chauzroei Freund-type 9. 5 31. 5 30-45 4. 5 30 2 20-50 4 0 0. 5 Example 9 32 58 70-100 15-20 45 70-100 10-20 100 9. 5 1. 7 6 Example 10 34. 5 57. 5 45-70 10-15 45 100-150 10-20 100 15. 8 1. 3 6 Example 11- 34. 5 53 30-45 20-30 20-30 45 5-10 20-50 7. 5 1. 7 6

centration of epsilon-toxoid in final emulsion was 30 in- The following are examples of the invention in which ternational units/ml. Each of these vaccines was used to all parts are by volume. A preservative of sodium ethylimmunise groups of rabbits, each animal receiving a sin 75 mercurithiosalicylate (Thiomeral) was included in a con- 10 EXAMPLES 9-11 Each of these vaccines were injected into rabbits and Unconcentrated multicomponent vaccines guinea pigs, each animal receiving two subcutaneous doses of 2 ml. at a three week interval. Antibody titres were obtained by testing pooled samples of serum obtained from the animals 21 days after the second injection. The antigenicity of the Clostridium chauvoei component was measured by challenging groups of immunised guinea pigs with a virulent culture of Clostridium chauvoei 14 days after the second injection. The results Unconcentrated anacultures of Clostridium perfringens Types B and C were prepared in the manner described in 5 Example 2 except that the culture was not filtered. Unconcentrated toxoid of Clostridium septicum was prepared in the manner described in Example 3 except that the culture was not concentrated. An unconcentrated anaculture of Clostridium oedematiens was prepared by the pro- 1 cedure described in Examples -8 except that the culture are Shown in Table was not filtered or concentrated. These vaccines satisfied the requirements of the British A blend (28.5 parts) of concentrated tetanus toxoid (as Veterinary codex the Brltish Pharmacopoela 111 preparedinExample 4),unconcentrated filtered toxoids of spect 0f the tetanus component) Wlfll regard to y,

Clostridium perfringens Type D (as prepared in Example sterility and freedom from abnormal toxicity.

TABLE TIL-THE RESPONSE OF RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGiITCS) UNCONCENTRATED MULTIOOMPONENT CLOSTRIDIAL VACCI E Serum titres in International Units per ml.

Clustridium perfri'nqens vm d mn oedematz'em Clostridium Beta Epsilon Clostridiu'm tetam' Type B alpha seplicurn tit i antitoxm tim i antltoxin antltoxin Total number of Guinea Guinea guine pig g h afi iigtl Vaccine Rabbit pig Rabbit gi; Rabbit fiig Rabbit pig Rabbit pig with CLchauvoet Example 12 7.5 28.5 45 30 20-30 100-150 5i0 1-2 3.8 0. 45 6 Example 13 27 4540 70-100 0 00 6 1), unconcentrated filtered toxoid of Clostridium septi- What I claim is: cum, and unconcentrated anacultnres of Clostridium per- 1. An injectionable sterile, multiple clostridial antigen fringens Types B and C and of Clostridium oedematiens vaccine preparation, which provides enhanced antibody Type B, was mixed with 1.5 parts of a hydrophilic emulresponse without aluminum adjuvant, comprising aquesifier indicated below, and the whole of this aqueous phase ous antigenic material derived from at least two pathodivided into 3 portions. Each portion was then mixed in genie clostridium species, a mineral oil, a non-ionic the manner described in preceding examples with an oil lipophilic emulsifier having an HLB value of from 2 to 8, phase comprising 63 parts of Bayol F and 7 parts of Arand a non-ionic hydrophilic emulsifier having an HLB lacelAto produce an emulsion. value of from 9 to 20, the preparation being a stable, Aqueous phase parenterally acceptable emulsion of an aqueous antigen Example: emulsifier phase dispersed in a continuous oil phase, wherein said 9 Tween 80 aqueous phase comprises from 10 to 35% of the volume 10 Tween 85 of the preparation. 11 Tween 20 2. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic emulsifier has an HLB value from 11 to 18 and constitutes from 3 to 7% by volume of the aqueous phase, and the lipophilic emulsifier has an HLB value from 2 to 6 and constitutes 5 to 12% by volume of the oil phase.

These vaccines satisfied the requirements of the British Veterinary Codex (and the British Pharmacopoeia in respect of the tetanus component) with regard to safety, sterility and freedom from abnormal toxicity.

1 3. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1 wherein EXAMPLES 12 AND 13 the hydrophilic emulsifier is a polyoxyethylene derivative Un on entrated lti o t vaccines of a hexitol fatty acid and the lipophilic emulsifier is an ester of a fatty acid with a hexitol anhydride.

4. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic emulsifier is selected from the class consisting of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate, and the lipophilic emulsifier is selected from the class consisting of mannide monooleate and sorbitan monooleate.

5. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the antigenic material is derived from at least two species of the class consisting of Cl. oedematiens, Cl. septicu'm,

0 Cl. chauvoei, Cl. tetani, Cl. perfringens Type B, Cl.

perfringens Type C, and Cl. perfringens Type D.

6. A method for the prophylaxis of clostridial diseases in sheep and cattle comprising the administration by intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection of a vaccine 5 claimed in claim 1.

7. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antigenic material is derived from the organisms Cl. perfringens Type B, Cl. perfringens Type C, and Cl. perfringens Type D.

8. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antigenic material is derived from the organisms Cl. perfringens Type D, Cl. septicum, Cl. chauvoei and Cl. tetani.

2 1.5 parts G 2127 28-5 pa t 9. A vaccine preparation as claimed in claim 1, Where- 3 part Tween 80 parts in the antigenic material is derived from the organisms Unconcentrated anacultnres of Clostrz'dium perfringens Types B and C were prepared in the manner described in Example 2 except that the culture was not filtered. Unconcentrated toxoid of Clostridium septicum was prepared in the manner described in Example 3 except that the culture was not concentrated. An unconcentrated anaculture of Clostridium oedemaliens was prepared by the procedure described in Examples 5-8 except that the culture was not filtered or concentrated.

A blend (x parts) of concentrated tetanus toxoid (as prepared in Example 4), unconcentrated filtered toxoids of Clostridium perfringens Type D (as prepared in Example 1), unconcentrated filtered toxoid of Clostridium septicum, and unconcentrated anacultures of Clostridium perfringens Types B and C and of Clostridium oedeman'ens Type B, was mixed with y parts of a hydrophilic emulsifier indicated below, and the whole of this aqueous phase divided into 2 portions. Each portion was then mixed in the manner described in preceding examples, with an oil phase comprising 63 parts of Bayol F and 7 parts of Arlacel A.

Example Hydropbilic emulsifier, y parts Antigenic blend, 2: parts 

